The American Nightmare wants an answer!

Finally…! The Rock has come back to Arizona! And tonight on SmackDown, the world wants to know: Will he accept Cody Rhodes’ challenge of a 1v1 match?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton; Tiffany wins.
• Bayley & Dakota Kai VS The Kabuki Warriors w/ Iyo Sky; No Contest.
• Bron Breakker VS Xyon Quinn; Bron wins.
• Street Fight: Carlito VS Santos Escobar; Carlito wins.
• Randy Orton VS Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller; Orton wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Bloodline heads to the ring!

Glendale, AZ fires up as Roman Reigns leads the way for Paul Heyman, Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa. The Tribal Chief is handed the Universal Championship to hold it up for the pyro while everyone else holds up the ones. Roman is on day 1,279 as he continues down the ramp and enters the ring. And as it stands, in 36 days, he will defend the title against The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! Roman raises the belt again for the second round of pyro, and then the fans can be heard torn between cheering and jeering. Heyman still hands the mic over to Roman, the fans boo harder, and Roman says, “Glendale, Arizona…! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!”

The fans are torn again, still plenty putting up the ones. Roman says it used to be louder. It has to be the fans and not Roman, so let’s try this again. “Phoenix, Arizona…! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans still boo but then a “CODY! CODY!” chant starts. Roman has a headache and says, “I’m gonna try this one last time. And if you don’t get on my page, I’ve fulfilled my obligation and I’m leaving. Last shot. Glendale, Arizona…! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!!” The fans are louder but just with more boos and chants for Cody. Roman says they’re done here. Call the FBO, fire up the jet, the appearance is done, you’re welcome.

But Heyman tells the Tribal Chief that they still have some other business to attend to, they cannot leave yet. He is coming out, remember? Just give Heyman a moment. The fans mock Roman with “Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye~!” Heyman says in just a moment, The People’s Champion, The BDE up in WWE, the Greatest Movie Star of All Time, will be out here live. THE ROCK! After these commercial messages. Roman is annoyed with the fans as they continue to boo, will the mood pick up after the break?

SmackDown returns, and yes, The Rock is here! Fans fire up as he makes his entrance, this time wearing a Versace shirt to parallel the classic vest from last week. The Great One swaggers his way to the ring as he gets his introduction, then grabs himself a mic. The Rock takes a moment to soak up all the heat, and then says, “Are you sure you wanna boo The Rock?” The fans boo harder! The Rock says it’s time to drop some gospel on them. He has news they’ll probably like, might even be proud of. Apparently, Glendale is ten miles away from Phoenix. So then, are there people from Phoenix here tonight?

The fans cheer and The Rock knew it. It makes sense. He did some research, and found this out. This is truth, this is fact, the number one city in America for cocaine and meth use is Phoenix, Arizona! The fans are weirdly torn about that. “And here’s what that means. Finally…! Your life has meaning! Because finally, you cactus loving crackheads worth shooting in your veins! As you sit and you look at The Rock (censoring of the crowd happens apparently), FINALLY! The Rock has come back to Arizooona~!” The fans do cheer that, at least. The Rock then says he is covered in chills, he’s in a good mood!

The Universal Champion, Roman, is in a good mood! Jimmy Uso is in a good mood! Even Solo Sikoa, though you wouldn’t know it by looking at him, but that is his happy face. He’s in a good mood. And here’s why they’re in a good mood, Arizona. Because once again, though it’s been decades, professional wrestling is cool! The fans cheer that! The Rock says pro-wrestling is exciting, it is in a word, electrifying once again. It’s why Birmingham, Alabama, they sold out. It’s why in Salt Lake City, they sold out. It’s why tonight in “this crack den with popcorn,” they are sold out! And it’s why next week, in Dallas, Texas, is sold out!

It’s why in two weeks, in Memphis, Tennessee, when The Rock comes home, that will sell out, too. And the reason why is because there is greatness among you. Wrestling is cool because of The Rock, Roman Reigns & The Bloodline! The fans chant for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” but also “CODY! CODY!” The Rock asks, “Y’know who’s not cool? Your hear, Cody Rhodes.” The Rock tells Cody he thinks he’s tough, wants to challenge Rock to go 1v1 with the Great One! The Rock sees Cody, hears Cody, and tonight in Arizona, here is The Rock’s answer. It’s NO! The fans boo but The Rock says “You think you’re just gonna one on one with The Great One just because you want to?”

That’s not how it happens! That ain’t the real world, Glendale! You know it and The Rock knows it. But guess what, Cody? The world wants to go 1v1 with The Rock. And y’know who else wants it? Every woman in this arena. The fans really go wild there. The Rock smiles and tells the “crackhead Karens” and “meth head Marys” to calm down. Ain’t no way they’re ready for The Rock’s 22 inches of Heaven! And no, keep your mind out of the gutter. Not The Rock’s “Holy Moses.” He means the guns hanging from his shoulders that he’ll wrap around Cody. But it ain’t gonna be 1v1. Cody, you think you’re tough, that you can go 1v1 with The Rock. Are you an idiot?

Cody’s got the biggest WrestleMania match of his career with the most dominant WWE Champion in HISTORY, and Cody’s challenging The Rock?! The Rock, Roman & Bloodline saw the challenge, heard it, laughed at it, but now, The Rock is being a businessman. Here is a counter offer. The Rock tells the fans to shut up and listen. Cody thinks he’s tough, him and his new bestie, “that walking clown emoji,” Seth Rollins, they think they’re tough, huh? So here’s the challenge. Night one of WrestleMania, the biggest tag team match in the history of the WWE! The biggest tag team in the history of pro-wrestling!

It will be Cody & Seth VS Universal Champion & People’s Champion! But not just a regular tag match, either. The Rock & Roman could just beat the piss out of ’em and be done with it, but no, here’s what they’ll do. IF those two jabronies beat Rock & Roman on night one, then on night two, Cody VS Roman will be free of The Bloodline. No Jimmy, no Solo, no Heyman, no Rock, they’re all barred from ringside. They’ll get the lawyers, the contracts, The Rock’s word and Roman’s word. IF Cody & Seth win, Cody can #FinishTheStory 1v1 with Roman Reigns. The fans rally up for “CODY! CODY!” but The Rock smirks.

The Rock says but, because there’s always a but. If, or rather when, Rock & Roman beat those two candy asses on night one, then on night two, the championship match, it is Bloodline Rules. Anything goes! The Rock might just pull up a chair next to Pat McAfee, call that match, Jimmy as referee, Heyman gets the foreign objects, Solo sings the national anthem. Yes, that is very funny, Solo has a great voice, but just sit there and shut up. The fans chant for “SOLO! SOLO!” and Solo is rather surprised, maybe a little nervous. It’s Bloodline Rules, The Rock takes that chair, and he’ll find his way to Cody to bash his brains in. And it’ll be legal!

So there’s a lot to think about, Cody. You think you’re tough, that you can even go 2v2 against the greatest duo in sports entertainment. Cody, meet them next week in Dallas to give us the answer. Because listen here, Cody, and “you walking emoji clown show,” Seth Rollins. If you do NOT accept the challenge, then you know, the fans know, and the world knows, The Rock will do everything in his power to make sure Cody does not win at WrestleMania. And there ain’t a man back there that can stop The Rock from doing it. You all know where The Rock sits. You all know The Rock is on the board, and owns it all! That means The Rock is your boss!

The fans boo but The Rock says there’s no one can stop him. No GM, no VP of who gives an F! But the fans chant “TRIPLE H! TRIPLE H!” The Rock ignores that to say here’s the thing, Cody. If you don’t accept the challenge… then The Rock & Roman will end your story tragically. So how tough do you think you are, Cody? Meet them in Dallas for SmackDown and give them the answer. “IF YA SMELLL~” WAIT. Roman cuts The Rock off?! Even Heyman is stunned! The fans are losing their minds as The Rock just stares at Roman. Roman gets the mic from Heyman, and he says he needs something.

Roman will do anything for the family, but he needs this one thing. Roman looks The Rock in the eye, and he tells The Rock, “Acknowledge me.” Fans are stunned to hear The Tribal Chief ask this of The People’s Champion! The Rock takes off his sunglasses to look Roman dead in the eye. The Rock says, “Roman Reigns… my family… I acknowledge you… as my Tribal Chief.” Fans are even more stunned! The Rock then holds out his hand, and Roman takes it. The fans tell The Rock, “You Sold Out! You Sold Out!” The Rock and Roman brush that off and The Rock says, “Let The Rock explain something to you idiots.

“This is family. And we will do anything for family. Now go home and smoke some more crack. IF YA SMELLLL~…” The Rock then hands it over to Roman?! Roman finishes it with, “What The BLOODLINE is cooking!” The Samoan Dynasty’s foundation is stronger than ever, will nothing stop them from completely dominating the WWE?

Grayson Waller and Austin Theory look at footage.

Waller says Randy Orton’s about to win the Chamber, and then BAM! Logan Paul gets him clean with the brass knuckles! But then LA Knight storms in and asks if they’ve seen AJ Styles. Nope. They don’t care where he is, either. LA Knight holds up the chair from Chamber and says let AJ know there’s a receipt waiting for him. Knight leaves, and A-Town Down Under goes back to the replay. And then Orton walks in to overhear them mocking him. Orton walks up and laughs at the video. Yeah, play it again. Uh, okay… Yes, RKO on Drew, Orton is excited but feeling sore, and then BAM! Logan knocks him out! Hilarious!

Orton says he’s never seen anything as funny as that. Actually, he has a great idea. Orton will do something hilarious just like that! It doesn’t matter who it is, but one of them goes to the ring to face Orton, and he’ll try to literally rip their head off! The fun part is, they get to choose who gets the holy hell beat out of them! Waller says Theory has talked about wanting to face Orton! Orton says good on Theory! See you later! Orton leaves and Theory says first Australia and now this. Waller keeps selling him out! Waller says no, this is a great chance for a main event with Orton! A-Town Down Under argues, but will Theory end up getting bit by The Viper?

Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton!

Speaking of Elimination Chamber, neither woman here won their match, with The Glow being eliminated by the Wrestling Barbie fairly early. Will Naomi get some payback here tonight? Or will SmackDown be put on #TiffyTime?

The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally up for “Tiffy Time!” and Tiff says see, Glendale gets it. The two tie up, Tiffy headlocks, but Naomi powers out. Tiffy runs Naomi over, keeps moving, but Naomi drops. Tiffy handsprings up and over and fans cheer. Tiff talks trash on Naomi, but Naomi gets around to waistlock, pull her back, and run to ELBOW Tiff down! The fans cheer as Naomi shows off with the no-hands cartwheel! The two reset, knuckle lock, but then Tiff kicks low. Tiff throws Naomi down by her hair, the ref reprimands but fans are torn. Tiff whips Naomi but Naomi reverses then runs up to SPLASH!

Naomi stomps Tiff, then lets off to get some space. Naomi runs up and basement dropkicks! Naomi then drags Tiff to a corner, TWO! Tiff crawls to the ropes but Naomi keeps cool. Naomi runs in again but is put on the apron. Naomi ROUNDHOUSES, then slingshots for a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Tiff survives then bails out, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Tiff handsprings to back elbow in the corner! Then she snapmares Naomi and again says it’s Tiffy Time! Tiff runs to DOUBLE STOMP Naomi down! Cover, TWO!! Naomi survives and she flops to the apron. Tiff grows frustrated but she storms up to drag Naomi into the ropes. Naomi RAMS into Tiff, then reels her in, for the HEATSEEKER! Tiff falls back, Naomi covers, TWO! Tiff survives again but Naomi keeps on her. Naomi stands Tuff up but Tiff SLAPS! Naomi SLAPS! It’s a SLAP fight! Then it turns into forearms! Tiff ducks the roundhouse but not the KNEE! Tiff wobbles, Naomi runs but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!

Tiff grits her teeth as she kicks Naomi away. The fans rally up as both women are on the mat. They sit up, Tiff is after Naomi first but Naomi JAWBREAKERS! Naomi CORNER BULLDOGS Tiff, then goes up and up and- NO, Tiff bails out to the apron! Naomi stops herself, grabs at Tiff, but the ref gets between them. Tiff CLAWS eyes, then POSTS Naomi! Tiff gets in, goes up and up, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER! Cover, Tiff wins!

Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall

Naomi got pinned by Tiffany in the Chamber, she got pinned in a normal match, is SmackDown going to have no choice but to make Tiffany Stratton the Center of the Universe?

Bayley & Dakota Kai VS The Kabuki Warriors w/ Iyo Sky!

The Role Model & #CobraKai want their revenge on Asuka, Kairi Sane & The Evil Genius after their betrayal, but that might be easier said than done. The joshi hold all the gold, will they make sure Bayley & Dakota understand why?

SmackDown returns as Bayley makes her entrance, Dakota by her side and finally 100%. The moment they’re in the ring, DMG CTRL bails out and taunts them. The ref gets Bayley & Dakota to calm down and go to their corner, but then the Kabuki Warriors attack! Fans boo as Asuka & Kairi mug Bayley then get her up. They double whip then bypass to KICK, AX KICK, BULLDOG and BASEMENT DROPKICK! The fans boo but Iyo applauds. Asuka keeps after Bayley but Bayley trips her up! Bayley rains down hands but Asuka kicks her away. Asuka goes to a corner, Bayley runs in but is put on the apron.

Bayley ROCKS Asuka, climbs up, but Asuka distracts the ref so Kairi can CLUB Bayley down! Fans boo more but Asuka & Kairi just smile. Asuka then sits Bayley up to KICK! And KICK! And KICK! Bayley blocks one! Bayley ROCKS Asuka, shoves her then trips her while sliding out of the ring! Kairi runs up but Bayley DECKS her! Bayley glares at Iyo, hurries back in, but Asuka keeps her from Dakota! Bayley whips Asuka, Asuka reverses and sends Bayley into Dakota! Asuka pie faces Bayley and taunts her but the fans rally up. Bayley ROCKS Asuka in return, and then again! Asuka ROCKS Bayley, runs and tags, CODE BREAKER and BLOCKBUSTER!

The fans boo as the Kabuki Warriors aim at Bayley. SLIDING FOREARM KICK COMBO! Cover, TWO! Kairi is annoyed but she dribbles Bayley off the mat! The ref reprimands but Kairi tags in Asuka. Kairi feeds Bayley to BOOTS! Asuka & Kairi continue to soak up the heat, they double whip but Bayley crisscrosses them into each other! Bayley drop toeholds Kairi into ropes, but Asuka whips Bayley, Bayley goes up and out to ROCK Asuka, KNEE Kairi, and then she baits Asuka in for the HOTSHOT! The fans fire up and Bayley crawls her way over. Dakota rises up and the fans rally! But Asuka grabs a foot!

Bayley kicks Asuka away, turns around, hot- NO! Dakota ditches Bayley!? Fans boo but Bayley realizes she should’ve known all along that Dakota was a snake. Bayley still fights the Kabuki Warriors all her own, then she goes out to RAM Dakota into barriers! The fans are thunderous as Bayley gets even with the newest traitor! But then the Kabuki Warriors mug Bayley, put her back in, and they also have Dakota and Iyo join in. Dakota SLAPS Bayley, then Iyo BLINDSIDE KNEES Bayley down!

No Contest

Iyo taunts Bayley with the WWE Women’s Championship, saying it will always be Iyo’s! She shoves the belt into Bayley’s face then shoves Bayley down. It seems Bayley is truly alone in this fight, does she have any chance of winning the title at WrestleMania?

DMG CTRL regroups backstage.

They’re all happy that it’s the four of them against Bayley, and they pass by LA Knight hunting for AJ Styles. And then JADE CARGILL steps forward. Nick Aldis steps in to say he’ll deal with DMG CTRL later. For now, he and Jade have a meeting. The storm smiles and leaves with the GM, is she going to join SmackDown after all?

Bron Breakker VS Xyon Quinn!

The Big Bad Booty Nephew is back in action on The Blue Brand, still hot off last week’s debut win. Will he keep things going as we get closer and closer to WrestleMania Weekend? Or will Xyon prove he is still The It Factor?

The bell rings and Bron runs to SPEAR Xyon down!! Cover, Bron wins!!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall

Thanks for coming, Xyon! That was an incredibly fast win for Bron, perhaps even historically so! Is nothing going to stop Bron from breaking through to the main event scene?

WWE mourns the loss of Michael Jones, aka Virgil.

Street Fight: Carlito VS Santos Escobar!

This grudge match was meant to happen months ago, but Caribbean Cool could not be cleared to compete because the Emperor of Lucha made sure he couldn’t! But now things have escalated and there is nothing holding either man back! Will Carlito finally have vengeance for the LWO? Or will Escobar establish his Legado Del Fantasma above all others?

SmackDown returns and Santos makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two rush in to throw hands! The fans fire up as the fists fly, and Carlito ROCKS Santos! Santos shoves Carlito back but Carlito CLOBBERS Santos! Carlito rains down fists, stalks Santos to ropes then bumps him off buckles. Carlito shoves Santos out of the ring, goes out after him, then shoves him around. Carlito sends Santos into steel steps but Glendale wants tables. So Carlito goes looking, and he finds a table! The fans cheer but Santos gets in the ring. Carlito hurries in after Santos but Santos intercepts with a kick!

Santos ROCKS and CHOPS Carlito, fires more forearms, then whips Carlito. Carlito reverses and Santos goes back into steel steps! Carlito puts Santos back in the ring, the fans now want apples! Carlito can dig that, and goes looking. He finds a kendo stick! Not an apple but still really good. Wait, THERE is the apple! Carlito smiles as the fans fi reup, but Santos DIVES! Down goes Carlito and the apple and Santos laughs while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Santos is putting a trash can around Carlito! Santos runs corner to corner, to DOUBLE KNEE Carlito down! The can is removed as Santos covers, TWO!! Santos is frustrated, and he drags Carlito up to fire forearms! Santos throws Carlito out to the floor, then he builds speed. Santos DIVES into a CHAIR! The fans are thunderous as Carlito gets in and he stalks Santos. Santos stands, Carlito runs up to LARIAT! And ELBOW! Carlito gets that trash can to THROW it into Santos! Then Carlito picks the can up, but Santos puts up his guard! So Carlito puts it around him in return for earlier!

The fans cheer as Carlito now gets that chair, and he SMACKS the can! And SMACKS a leg! And then SMACKS away on the top of the can! Carlito frees Santos from the can, but drags him up to position the chair. FULL METAL TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, TWO!! Santos survives and shocks Carlito! Carlito snarls, goes outside, and he brings out a TABLE! The fans fire up as Carlito gets that in the ring, then hurries after Santos. The fans cheer for Carlito as he sets up the table, but Santos KNEES Carlito down! Santos says no tables, then he drags Carlito up. Santos puts Carlito in a corner for a GAMANGIRI!

Santos puts Carlito up top, throws hands, then climbs up top to SUPER- NO, Carlito trips Santos up! The emperor lands bad on his throne, and Carlito YANKS the ropes! Santos falls, but ANGEL & HUMBERTO attack! The fans boo as Legado saves its leader, and then they get Carlito up. They whip Carlito and combine with Santos for a TRIPLE POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO?!? Carlito survives and no one can believe it! Santos says get the table and both Angel & Humberto stand it up. Santos says you ask and you shall receive. But then here comes Cruz & Wilde! They CLOBBER Angel & Garza, getting even for last week!

The fans fire up as those four brawl and Santos is frustrated. But then Angel POSTS Wilde and Humberto RAMS Cruz into steel steps! But wait! REY MYSTERIO is back?!? No one can believe this! But wait, Rey’s still on crutches after what Santos did to the leg. Angel & Humberto head up the ramp but wait! Rey’s leg is just fine! The crutches are now weapons! Rey SMACKS away on each man and Santos freaks out! He gets a two-for-one, even!! And then he stares down Santos. Santos snarls, dares Rey to do something about it then, and Rey goes up to the apron. The fans are losing their minds as Rey gets in Santos’ face!

Santos swings, Rey dodges! Carlito SPITS APPLE!! Then the BACKSTABBER! Santos ends up on ropes, Rey & Carlito DECK Angel & Humberto, then Cruz & Wilde FLY in! Direct hit on both Angel & Humberto, Rey dials up the 619!! And then SPINEBUSTER through the table!! Cover, Carlito wins!!

Winner: Carlito, by pinfall

The LWO celebrates together as they finally get revenge on Santos Escobar! And with Rey back, the team is at 100%! Will this be just what the group needed going into WrestleMania?

Nick Aldis meets with Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne.

The New Catch Republic talked it out, and they came so close to beating Judgment Day and taking the tag titles. We all saw if not for that Muppet, Dominik Mysterio, Bate & Dunne would be here the new tag team champions. Now, they’ll do whatever it takes to get another shot at WrestleMania. Whoa, WrestleMania? Aldis appreciates them coming to him with this, and yes, he saw it like everyone else that Dom cheated them. But making them the opponents for WrestleMania? That’s a tall order. He can say now, though, that he and Adam Pearce have been talking. They are going to have announcement they can share soon.

Aldis then overhears someone making a ruckus and excuses himself to go see. It’s LA Knight still looking for AJ Styles. Aldis asks what Knight is doing and Knight says he knows damn well what he’s doing. If there’s anyone who knows, it’s Aldis. Where’s Styles? Aldis does know, but he also saw Knight and Styles get into it at Chamber. Aldis told Styles not to be here. Well, then don’t get in front of this train because here’s the thing. Styles found it fitting to fly across the damn globe just to screw Knight over, that Knight wasn’t going to fight for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania.

And right now, Styles must be feeling real good about himself, maybe drunk off that power. But guess what? The hangover’s coming. So whether Aldis will invite Styles here or have him stay at home, Knight’s gonna find Styles, and he’ll make sure to give him this souvenir, “custom fit” for him, YEAH! And there ain’t a thing anybody, not even Aldis, can do about it. Oh yeah? YEAH. Knight leaves, but is Aldis left with no choice but to sort this one out?

Kevin Owens is here!

And just like before, he’s going to be a special guest on commentary! Will the Prizefighter really enjoy seeing what’s about to happen in the main event?

Randy Orton VS Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller!

There’s no denying The Viper got screwed over by The Maverick, but A-Town Down Under should’ve known better than to laugh about it in the locker room. Will either of them be laughing when Randy RKOs Austin Theory live?

SmackDown returns and Theory makes his entrance, Waller right behind him. Kevin plugs Progressive and its great bundle, then says Theory & Waller are idiots, they probably don’t bundle anything. Then Randy makes his entrance and the fans fire up! Wade Barrett asks if Kevin will keep his fists to himself, and Kevin says with it being Randy out here, Randy will do fine all on his own. The bell rings and the two rush in. Or1ton blocks a kick and throws uppercuts! The fans rally behind “RANDY! RANDY!” as he bumps Theory off buckles then throws more UPPERCUTS! Orton climbs up and he rains down fists!

The fans count along, Orton makes sure each one hits hard, and he goes up to nine, to then UPPERCUT for ten! The fans cheer while Kevin says Orton might’ve heard Kevin counting along. Orton pursues Theory outside, throws more UPPERCUTS, then he SMACKS Theory off the desk! Kevin wants the back suplex! Fans cheer, but Waller gets Theory outta there! The fans boo but Waller apologizes, only for Theory to POST Orton! Theory then reels Orton in, Kevin says don’t you dare. But Theory DESK BACK SUPLEXES Orton! The fans boo as Theory mocks the Orton pose, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns once again and Theory CLOBBERS Orton in the ring! Theory taunts the fans, soaks up the heat, and then goes to the apron. Theory goes up the corner while still taunting the fans, but Orton gets up to ROCK him first! The fans fire up and Orton throws more hands! Orton then climbs up after Theory, Kevin brings up Orton’s back being a concern, but the HEADBUTT works! Orton then brings Theory up but then one of them slips! Orton lands safe on his feet and he still suplexes Theory! Even Kevin’s never seen something like that! Orton drags Theory around, and stomps him down.

Orton then gets Theory’s arm, drags him up and whips him to a corner. Theory reverses, but Orton comes back to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Orton rallies with more clotheslines, then he SNAP POWERSLAMS! Theory flounders and the fans fire up more. Orton runs up to clothesline Theory up and out of the ring! Kevin wants the desk suplex and so Orton gets Theory up. DESK BACK SUPLEX! Theory writhes, Kevin and the fans applaud, and Orton gets Theory into the ring. Orton then kicks Waller, and gives him a DESK BACK SUPLEX! Kevin points out that bounce! Waller writhes, Orton shoves him off the desk, then goes back to the ring.

Theory runs up, Orton puts him in ropes! Orton has Theory set, DRAPING DDT! The fans are ready and Orton hears the voices in his head! Orton watches Theory rise, RK- NO! Theory RAMS Orton into buckles, then POSTS him! Theory runs corner to corner, somersaults and BLOCKBUSTERS! Theory covers, TWO!! Orton survives and shocks Theory! Theory says it’s time, though, and he brings Orton up. Fireman’s carry, but Orton kicks free! So Theory throat chops, then CHOP BLOCKS! Theory snarls, says “All! Day!” RUNNING FOREARM! Cover, TWO!! Orton is still in this and Theory is losing his cool!

Orton goes to the apron, and Theory gets an idea. Theory drags Orton through the ropes and grins! Fans boo as Theory is looking to mock Orton, but Orton gets free! Orton dumps Theory to the apron, but Theory HOTSHOTS back! Theory slingshots in, into an RKO!! Even Kevin is marking out for that one! Cover, Orton wins!

Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall

The Viper proves he can strike outta nowhere, but then Waller does the same! But Kevin runs in to fire off on Waller! Kevin stomps away but Theory CLUBS Kevin! Theory stomps Kevin, the fans boo as A-Town Down Under mugs the Prizefighter, but then Kevin fights back! STUNNER for Theory! Kevin dodges Waller, but Waller denies the stunner! Only to get an RKO!! The Apex Predator stands tall with KO as they run off Waller & Theory, and they even fist bump. Will both icons make sure Waller, Theory and Logan Paul get what’s coming to them on the Road to WrestleMania?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown to follow Elimination Chamber here. Though I will say, did The Bloodline really need like, the first half hour just for themselves? Granted, it was an awesome half hour because for one, The Rock is still incredible on the mic, and then Roman pulling rank on him with “acknowledge me” was wild. That moment in itself could cause a rift to form, but I do like that they gave us the WrestleMania dream team tag match as has been theorized since the press event in Vegas. Rock adding extra stakes on top of it is great stuff, a real all or nothing for Cody here. And equally wild, I think The Rock takes the loss so that Cody has Roman truly 1v1.

I mostly say that because if Cody beats Roman when EVERYONE is ringside, that’s almost too much power for the new Universal Champion. Cody should have Roman fair and square for once in Roman’s entire reign, he should win straight up, and that will cap off “the story” for Cody and Roman. Now granted, I could easily see them go the other way, too. Maybe Cody takes the loss to make it Bloodline Rules, but then The Rock being ringside, he could actually help Cody against The Bloodline and that’s The Rock getting even with Roman for what he just did here tonight. Then we get Rock VS Roman as a feud separate from a title because it’ll be about who’s really in charge.

Moving on, great stuff with LA Knight going all over looking for AJ Styles, and good promo with him and Aldis. Knight VS Styles definitely has to happen by WrestleMania, that’ll be awesome stuff, and we could even tie in the rest of The OC. Gallows & Anderson are in NXT and building themselves towards a tag title match for Stand & Deliver. They will therefore be in Philadelphia, too, and could join Styles as a Heel to screw Knight over and refresh The OC’s run on main roster. Meanwhile, Bate & Dunne talking with Aldis about the tag titles was a good promo, and I do like the tease of something big for the tag titles at Mania. Separating them? Getting new belts to keep them unified? Either idea is fine by me, can’t wait to see which they go with.

Tiffany VS Naomi 1v1 was good, and I figured Tiffany would win to keep going strong in singles matches. And while I kept wanting/hoping Dakota to stay loyal to Bayley, I should’ve known she was gonna betray Bayley. Now Bayley is alone, and maybe has to turn to former enemies for help, like Bianca Belair. Jade Cargill also being present tonight, maybe she gets involved and joins Bianca against Asuka & Kairi for the tag titles. That’d be a way to keep The EST streak for WrestleMania while also giving Jade a big start to her WWE career. And nice of WWE to get Xyon Quinn TV time, even to get squashed hard by Bron Breakker.

Great Street Fight from Carlito and Santos. This was a great moment to bring Rey Mysterio back, though Carlito winning on behalf of LWO is now an interesting move. I mean, it was for the best so everyone would be happy with Rey’s return and Santos getting what he deserves. I guess we’ll still be getting Santos VS Rey to settle things once and for all at Mania, so that’s good, too. Good promo of Orton finding Theory & Waller laughing at Logan Paul’s sucker punch, and that banter of Logan Paul and the ref “I tricked you!” “N-No, I knew!” was admittedly good stuff. Logan’s proving he really is worthy of being such a strong Heel, despite fans having a hard time accepting him from his past reputation.

Orton VS Theory was a great main event, especially with Kevin on commentary. I think Kevin was very genuine the whole time, and how could he not be given that truly incredible save and adjustment by Orton in the botched superplex. Orton of course wins here, with Kevin helping him fight off A-Town Down Under. A tag match of Theory & Waller VS Orton & Kevin would be a lot of fun, and it’d help keep both Orton and Kevin strong going towards some sort of US Championship match with Logan at Mania.

My Score: 8.8/10